A blonde bean in Rome

A Black coffee and Solstice - the light in the end of the tunnel

How many gave a thought about the solstice 22nd of December? Early this morning, 05.30 am the sun came to an halt before reversing its direction. During solstice places on the Arctic Circle will see the Sun just on the horizon during midnight and the Antarctic Circle will see the Sun just on the horizon during midday.

Have you yet noticed the difference? We have reached the point when the days are becoming longer but at the moment are hardly noticeable as the first couple of days the changes is just 30 arcseconds per day (according to Wikipedia).

Nevertheless - just knowing that from today and onwards we are heading toward summer again is so envigorating that it gives me all the energy I need to cope with the cold months that remains before the days finally are longer than the nights and the sun warms up the air and warms my face again.

Until then, I cling to my favorite past-time that soothes my soul - I walk into a bar, I order my coffee watching people passing by whilst philosofical and sentimental thoughts runs through my brain.

Bar Il Delfino
Address: Via Cardinale Oreglia 24
00164 Roma
Phone number: 06 897 181 14

Friendship and coffee

Have you ever wondered what a good friend and a good cup of coffee has in common?

Initially when asking my friends their opinion on the subject I was first met with a puzzled and sometimes astonished expression. After suggesting a few options such as "that a good friend can cheer you up" or "get your energies back", they would agree. The conversation would however end there, so since I couldn't get the idea out of my head I had to do some research and to my great satisfaction I found that also the scientists agree!

Well, I'm not sure if they yet have made the same connection I have between the importance of combining coffee and friendship, but recent reports speaks how friendship is important for us. First: facts states that when you spend time with friends, your immune system is well-satisfied. The more social contacts you have and cultivate - and the more diverse the contacts are - the less likely it will be that you'll catch the cold. Furthermore, studies now also suggests that being lonely can be more harmful than leading a sedentary life without regular exercise and the person who is socially isolated will run a double hazard to have a cardiac infarct or stroke than of those being obese!!

So where does the coffee link in? We all know that coffee can be addictive, so can also friendship be as all friendship contain various amount of dependence or addiction. Now, can you see the important connection? Don't you agree  that coffee tastes much better when you share the experience? And when you crave a cake and it's too expensive, you can share it with your friend. :-)

So keep that healthy attitude of yours, skip the annual membership at the gym and do what I did, grab a friend and have a good, fun chat over a good coffee in a nice setting (it can save your life!) such as:

Espressamente
Address: Galleria Alberto Sordi, 53
00187 Roma
Phone number: +39 06 853 554 31

  

 

Caress your inside

Many visitors in Rome marvel at the constant crowding here in Rome - no matter if it is the traffic, on a bus, the way of not lining up but crowding together when waiting for something, they never seem to mind staying as close and tight together as possible even if among total strangers.

I think however I have found a possible explanation behind it.

Have you ever heard about a hormon called oxytocin? It is said to be one of the most important components in our anti-stress system as it can soothe pain, accelerate the healing of wounds, lower the blood-pressure and lower the amount of stress hormones in our bodies. It is triggered and released by someone's touch, when we are warm, saturated or by socializing - and as an effect we become more social, calm and curious about our environment. The oxytocin is airborne and will be absorbed by our sense of smell. The effects are not just temporary, but linger for some time.

Food is the touching of your inside and gives the same positive effects as a gentle caress. Is that why Italians dine for hours? To caress the inside with the food as well as the outside sitting closely together in various endless conversations. When I compare the effective, stressful way we eat in other countries - I wonder if the lack of caressing our inside as well as the greater distances inbetween people in general is the explanation to the high rates of depression?

Whenever I enter into a bar, or squeeze into a bus already filled to the brim I can't help but smiling to myself and my mind plays with the thought that the so called 'magic spell' of Rome is nothing else than oxytocin constantly released in to the air, unconsciously absorbed by the people - because here you have it all: the food, the touching and the warm climate all at the same time!

Adapt like I have by getting your daily share of oxytocin at a bar with good coffee:

Address: Piazzale dei Partigiani 32
Roma Ostiense
Find it on the map